CHINA DATA: In the latest update on the state of the world's No. 2 economy, China released July trade figures that showed exports jumped 14.5 percent in July compared with a year earlier. The figure was a surprise for economists, most of who were predicting that the figure would be lower than the 7.2 percent growth recorded in June. China's vast manufacturing industry is a key part of the overall economy, which rebounded slightly in the most recent quarter after slowing in the first quarter. July imports, however, showed signs of weakness.

GEOPOLITICS: Investors fretted about the effect of Russia's decision to retaliate against sanctions over the Ukraine crisis with a ban on food imports from the West. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama authorized U.S. airstrikes in northern Iraq, warning they would be launched to defend American troops and civilians under siege from Islamic State militants. Japanese stocks declined as the geopolitical tensions spurred buying in the yen, seen as a safe haven currency. A stronger yen makes Japanese stocks pricier for overseas investors.

THE QUOTE: Russia's food ban is a "negative for world markets," said Ric Spooner, chief analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney. He said the ban would "have the knock on effect of driving down prices in other markets as exporters seek to find new outlets for produce that may otherwise have been sold to Russia."

ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude oil for September delivery added 62 cents to $97.95 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 42 cents to settle at $97.34 on Thursday. Brent crude, which is used to price oil sold internationally, rose $1.18 to $106.63 in London.

CURRENCIES: The euro rose to $1.3364 from $1.3361 in late trading Thursday. The dollar fell to 101.80 yen from 102.11 yen.